ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
186.07 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India's Active caseload currently stands at 10,870
Active cases stand at 0.03%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.76%
1,081 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to
4,25,05,410
1,088 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
79.49 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 4,29,323 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Ministry of Finance
Accounting profession must remain in tune with technological changes and business models: CAG
CAG addresses 21st World Congress of Accountants
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Shri Girish Chandra Murmu today said that the accounting profession has to remain in tune with the technological changes and keep in step with the new disruptive business models of the 21st century. Addressing 21st World Congress of Accountants hosted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India in Mumbai, the CAG stated that this is necessary as the economy is going through massive transformation with evolution of new and innovative tools in doing business and these will challenge the conventional accounting traditions and thinking.
The CAG said that “we need sustainable IT governance and prudent financial management to enact large public programmes transparently without running into cost and time delays. Accounting and Audit professionals must take note of these developments to complement the government’s efforts. We have to ensure that we discharge our duties with high ethical, technical and professional standards. Digital assurance will allow auditors to validate for an entire population, which will improve efficient workflow and build trust in financial statements. It is time therefore, for the accountancy profession to take steps towards building high quality integrated reporting and performance statements. It is heartening to note that ICAI has been adopting emerging technologies like block chain, Artificial intelligence, Big Data and is imparting training on those tools”.
The CAG said that hundreds of home grown, small and medium enterprises and young entrepreneurs are creating unicorns which shows a positive signal. They would require especially in their initial days guidance and support from the accounting profession for legal and regulatory compliance, he added.
The CAG said that the issue of sustainable development can no longer be overlooked and accountants and auditors also have an important role to play here to comment not just on legality, propriety, transparency and accountability; but also on sustainability.
Shri Murmu said that the CAG institution has used cutting edge technologies, such as satellite imagery and geospatial analyses to aid audit planning and evidence gathering and its progress in the areas of research and capacity building for information system, data analytics and environmental audits is comparable to the best in the world.
Shri Murmu stated that the CAG shares a long and fruitful association with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. “We have also been working together to evolve standards for accounting and auditing, and for improving Quality Reviews for a long time in various committees and this synergy would be instrumental in establishing quality financial reporting and a credible compliance framework. This will not only strengthen corporate governance practices in our country, but also guide us towards realising the country’s economic and social objectives”, he added.
Source: CAG Office
Competition Commission of India
CCI approves acquisition in Magma HDI General Insurance Company Limited by India Advantage Fund S4 I & Dynamic India Fund S4 US I through a special purpose vehicle and by NHPEA Trisul Holding B.V
The Competition Commission of India  approves acquisition in Magma HDI General Insurance Company Limited  by India Advantage Fund S4 I  & Dynamic India Fund S4 US I  through a special purpose vehicle and by NHPEA Trisul Holding B.V .
The following Proposed Combination involving an acquisition of is approved by CCI:
an effective combined interest of less than 25%  of the share capital of Magma HDI by IAF S4 I and DIF, acting through a special purpose vehicle  ; and
an effective combined interest of less than 10%  of the share capital of Magma HDI by NTH .
The IAF/DIF Transaction and the NTH Transaction are collectively referred to as the ‘Proposed Combination’
IAF S4 I and DIF, acting through special purpose vehicle : SPV-I is a private limited company incorporated under the Indian Companies Act, 2013, in accordance with the IRDAI  Guidelines, 2017 for the purpose of investing in the share capital of the Target.
NTH/Acquirer-2: NTH is an investment holding company which ultimately belongs to a fund managed or controlled by an affiliate of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley, a financial holding company, is a global financial services firm that maintains market positions in each of its business segments- Institutional Securities, Wealth Management and Investment Management.
Magma HDI/Target:Magma HDI is engaged in the non-life insurance business in India only. Magma HDI offers products across various categories including Motor, Health, Personal Accident, Home, Fire, etc. in general insurance sphere.
Detailed order of the CCI will follow.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
EXTENSION OF PM SVANIDHI SCHEME
The Government of India has extended the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi  Scheme beyond March, 2022 with the following provisions:
- Extension of lending period till December 2024;
- Introduction of 3rd loan of upto ₹50,000 in addition to 1st & 2nd loans of ₹10,000 and ₹20,000 respectively.
- To extend ‘SVANidhi Se Samriddhi’ component for all beneficiaries of PM SVANidhi scheme across the country;
As on November 30, 2022, 31.73 lakh Street Vendors have availed benefit of 1st loan of ₹ 10,000 loan ; Out of these 5.81 lakh have availed benefit of second loan of ₹ 20,000 loan; Out of those who availed 2nd loan, 6,926 street vendors have availed benefit of third loan of ₹50,000.
The subject matter relating to creation of vending zone falls under the ambit of Street Vendors  Act, 2014, which is being implemented through respective State/UT. As reported by the States/UTs, a total of 13,403 vending zones have been identified so far.
42 lakh street vendors are to be provided benefits under PM SVANidhi Scheme by December, 2024.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Kaushal Kishore in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Law and Justice
As part of the Prime Minister’s commitment to accord highest priority towards employment generation, Rozgar Melas organized at 45 locations across the country
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- Prime Minister distributed Offer of Appointment  to 71,000 newly inducted recruits through Video Conferencing.
- Minister of State for Law and Justice Prof. S P Singh Baghel attends Rozgar Mela at Vasant Kunj, Delhi
As part of the Prime Minister’s commitment to accord highest priority towards employment generation, Rozgar Melas were organized at 45 locations across the country today. On this occasion, the Prime Minister distributed Offer of Appointment  to 71,000 newly inducted recruits through Video Conferencing.
Minister of State for Law and Justice Prof. S P Singh Baghel, who attended the Rozgar Mela organized in the Shaurya Officers’ Institute, CRPF, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, addressed the gathering and explained the initiatives of the Government under the leadership of the Prime Minister for the welfare of the youth.
A total of 224 qualified candidates were present at the Institute. Appointment letters were provided to the candidates by Prof. S P Singh Baghel.
Minister of State for Law and Justice Prof. S P Singh Baghel congratulated the candidates and advised them that this was a great opportunity for them to serve the nation during the glorious period and to keep up their preparations for higher positions also. The employers were mainly from sectors like Defence, Finance, Education, Health, Railways, Home, Power, Water Resources, etc.
After the Prime Minister’s address, Minister of State for Law and Justice Prof. S P Singh Baghel distributed physical copies of OOAs to some of the candidates. He also interacted with the candidates.
The new appointees will join the government and serve the nation. They will play a significant role in nation building and witness India@47. This event is the second in the series  to provide 10 lakh appointments during the next one year as envisioned by the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister's Office
PM unveils 108-feet-long bronze statue of Sri Nadaprabhu Kempegowda in Bengaluru
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi unveiled a 108-feet-long bronze statue of Sri Nadaprabhu Kempegowda in Bengaluru today. The Prime Minister paid floral tributes and offered holy water at the statue. He also planted a sapling.
The statue is built to commemorate the contribution of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, the founder of the city, towards the growth of Bengaluru. Conceptualised and sculpted by Ram V Sutar of the Statue of Unity fame, 98 tonnes of bronze and 120 tonnes of steel have gone into making this statue.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
“The role of Sri Nadaprabhu Kempegowda in the making of Bengaluru is unparalleled. He is remembered as a visionary who always put the welfare of people above everything else. Honoured to inaugurate the ‘Statue of Prosperity’ in Bengaluru.”
The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Basavaraj Bommai, the Governor of Karnataka, Shri Thawar Chand Gehlot and Union Minister Shri Prahlad Joshi among others.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Cabinet approves Inter-Institutional Agreement between India and USA for cooperation in the field of medicine
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given ex-post facto approval to the Inter-Institutional Agreement between India and the USA in the areas of regenerative medicine and 3D bioprinting, new technologies, exchange of scientific ideas/information and technologies, and joint use of scientific infrastructure.
Benefits:
The joint research projects, training programmes, conferences, seminars etc. under this Agreement will be open to all qualified scientists and technologists, and will be supported on the basis of scientific merit and excellence. Scientific research and technology development in the areas of regenerative medicine and 3D bio-printing will have potential for generation of new Intellectual Property, processes, prototypes or products.
Both institutes anticipate the general academic exchange contemplated under the Agreement will lead to the development of specific projects, each of which may have academic, clinical and commercial implications.
Salient features:
The objective of the Agreement is to contribute towards the development of research and education of both the Institutions through academic collaboration. The general areas of common interest where collaboration and exchange of knowledge are intended for both include:
 Exchange of faculty members and students for training, study and research especially in the areas on 3D Bioprinting;
 Execution of joint research projects; and
 Exchange of information and academic publications.
Background:
In line with Govt. of India's stress on stronger and long-term cooperation between the Government of India and the United States of America for mutual benefit in the areas of Science and Technology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology , Trivandrum, an Institute of National Importance under the Department of Science and Technology , Government of India, has entered into an Agreement on Academic Cooperation with the Wake Forest University Health Sciences on behalf of its Institute for Regenerative Medicine , North Carolina, USA. The Agreement was signed by Prof. Asha Kishore, Director, SCTIMST on behalf of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum and Mr. Gregory Burke, Chief Science Officer & Sr. Associate Dean for Research Admin and Prof. Anthony Atala, Director on behalf of Wake Forest University-Health Sciences on behalf of its Institute for Regenerative Medicine, North Carolina, Unites States on 13thDecember 2018.
Department of Space
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says, PSLV-C53 launch on 30th June, 2022 was the dedicated international customer mission wherein 3 Singaporean satellites were launched
The launch also provided an opportunity to Indian space start-ups to host their technology payloads as part of PS4 upper stage orbiting platform
Union Minister of State  Science & Technology; Minister of State  Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said, PSLV-C53 launch on 30th June, 2022 was the dedicated international customer mission wherein 3 Singaporean satellites were launched.
In reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the launch also provided an opportunity to Indian space start-ups to host their technology payloads as part of PS4 upper stage orbiting platform.
PSLV-C53 realized by Indian Space Research Organization , successfully launched three Singapore customer satellites namely DS-EO, NeuSAR and SCOOB-1. PSLV-C53 was the 2nd dedicated commercial mission for NewSpace India Limited , a Central Public Sector Enterprise under administrative control of the Department of Space , thus enabling NSIL to earn Foreign Exchange for providing Launch Services to international customers. Further, the competitiveness of Indian made launch vehicles in the international market continues to increase with each successful launch.
ISRO, through its commercial arms, has successfully launched 345 foreign satellites from 34 countries on-board Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle . Total foreign exchange revenue earned through launching of foreign satellites amounts to 56 million USD and 220 million Euros approximately.
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Ministry of Women and Child Development
Malnutrition Deaths among Children in the Country
Malnutrition is not a direct cause of death among children. However, it can increase morbidity and mortality by reducing resistance to infections. Malnourished children are more vulnerable to any infection than normal children. The overall under five mortality rate has reduced from 74.3  to 49.7  deaths per thousand live births.
The Government has accorded high priority to the issue of malnutrition and is implementing several schemes/programmes through States/UTs to address various aspects related to nutrition. This Ministry implements Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Anganwadi Services and Scheme for Adolescent Girls under the Umbrella Integrated Child Development Services Scheme  as direct targeted interventions to address the problem of malnutrition among Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers and Children  in the country.
Further, the Government has set up POSHAN Abhiyaan on 18.12.2017. The goals of POSHAN Abhiyaan are to achieve improvement in nutritional status of Children from 0-6 years, Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers in a time bound manner. The major activities undertaken under this Abhiyaan are ensuring convergence with various other programmes; Information Technology enabled Common Application Software for strengthening service delivery and interventions; Community Mobilization and Awareness Advocacy leading to Jan Andolan to educate the people on nutritional aspects; Capacity Building of Frontline Functionaries, incentivizing States/ UTs for achieving goals etc.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani in Rajya Sabha today.
Election Commission
Biennial Elections to the Legislative Councils of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana respectively by the members of Legislative Assembly -Deferment of elections
The term of office of 03  members of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council and 06  members of Telangana Legislative Council elected by the members of respective Legislative Assemblies  are expiring on 31.05.2021 and 03.06.2021 respectively as per the details below:
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Class of Constituency
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Date of Retirement
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No. of Seats
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Electors
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Andhra Pradesh
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By MLAs
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31.05.2021
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03
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Members of Legislative Assembly
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Telangana
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By MLAs
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03.06.2021
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06
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Members of Legislative Assembly
2. As per the provisions of Section 16 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the seats of State Legislative Council which are going to be vacant on expiration of the term of the members, are required to be filled up by holding biennial election before the said expiration of the term.
3. The Commission has reviewed the matter today and has decided that due to outbreak of the second wave of COVID-19 in the country, it would not be appropriate to hold biennial election to the Legislative Councils of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana respectively till the pandemic situation significantly improves and conditions become conducive to hold these biennial elections.
4. The Commission will take a decision in the matter at appropriate time in the future after taking inputs from the concerned states and assessing the pandemic situation from mandated authorities likeNDMA/SDMA.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Centre Issues Advisory to State Governments/UTs to Encourage Work-from-Home for Nursing Mothers
In a latest measure taken to protect the interest of workers specifically nursing mothers at work during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Government has issued an advisory to all the State Governments/UTs to encourage work-from-home for nursing mothers under the enabling provision for permitting work from home for nursing mothers under the Section 5 of the Maternity Benefit  Act, 2017. The Act provides that where the nature of work assigned to a woman is of such nature that she may work from home, the employer may allow her to do so after availing of the maternity benefit for such period and on such conditions as the employer and the woman may mutually agree.
Keeping in view the vulnerability of nursing mothers and their babies during the Covid pandemic and to save them from getting infected by the corona virus, the Ministry of Labour & Employment has issued an advisory to all the State Governments and UTs to encourage employers to allow to work from home to nursing mothers wherever the nature of work so permits. The State Governments and UTs have been requested that steps may be taken to create awareness about section 5 of the Act amongst the women workforce and the employers. The State Governments and UTs have been further requested that advisories may be issued to the employers for allowing more and more nursing mothers to work from home as per section 5 of the Act wherever nature of work so allows. It has been conveyed that employers may be advised to allow work-from-home, wherever nature of work so allows , for nursing mothers at least for a period of one year from the date of birth of the child.
In addition to protecting the nursing mothers during Covid, giving the flexibility to work-from-home wherever nature of work allows to do so, this step will enable nursing mothers to continue to remain in employment.Thus, the implementation of this provision shall act as an enabling tool in enhancement of participation of women in labour force.This shall also contribute to creating a happy workforce.
Prime Minister's Office
PM meets International Telecommunication Union Secretary General, Doreen Bogdan- Martin
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi met International Telecommunication Union Secretary General, Doreen Bogdan- Martin. Both the dignitaries had extensive discussions on leveraging digital technology for a better and sustainable planet.
Responding to the tweet by Ms Doreen Bogdan- Martin, the Prime Minister tweeted;
“Glad to have met @ITUSecGen Doreen Bogdan-Martin. We had extensive discussions on leveraging digital technology for a better and sustainable planet.”
Ministry of Communications
Regulatory overlap in Mandatory Testing removed – one more step towards ease of doing business
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology  carries out Compulsory Registration of specified goods  under the ‘Electronics and Information Technology  Order, 2012’.
Department of Telecom  has specified ‘Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecommunication Equipment ’ under Indian Telegraph  Rules, 2017 issued on 5th September 2017 for equipment capable of being used for telecommunications.
With increasing convergence of technology, regulatory overlap was noted regarding certain products such as smart watch, smart camera etc. Representations were also received from industries and industry associations regarding overlapping jurisdiction of DOT and MEITY. It was highlighted that such overlap is a deterrent for timely launch of new products. It also increases the compliance cost for the industry.
DOT in consultation with MEITY examined the issue and has now decided to exempt following products from the ambit of MTCTE regime: -
- Mobile User Equipment / Mobile handset 
- Server
- Smart watch
- Smart camera
- PoS Machine 
The exemptions on these widely used products will reduce the compliance burden and will enable the industry to roll out their products faster. It will reduce import delays.
This initiative is in line with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi to have a clear and simplified regulatory regime. This regulatory reform shall improve the ease of doing business for electronics manufacturing companies and contribute towards making India a $1 trillion digital economy.
The Gazette Notification in this regard will be issued in due course.
Ministry of Steel
NMDC Wins Five Awards at the Governance Now 9th PSU Awards
India’s largest producer of iron ore NMDC, swept five awards at the Governance Now 9th PSU Awards held in New Delhi on 16 February 2023. The ceremony witnessed the presence of Justice Shri Dipak Mishra, Former Chief Justice of India, Supreme Court as the Chief Guest to felicitate the winners. The Governance Now Awards recognize and celebrate the commitment of PSUs in raising the standards in the public sector to create socio-economic value for the country.
CMD Shri Sumit Deb was felicitated with the coveted PSU Leadership Award 2022 and NMDC also brought home accolades for CSR Leadership, CSR Commitment , HR Excellence  and Nation Building, all received by Shri DK Mohanty, Director  on behalf of NMDC.
Shri Sumit Deb, CMD, NMDC said, “As we gear up to build a new India together, NMDC dives headfirst into reinventing its digital infrastructure for technological prowess, to serve the country better. We thank Governance Now for acknowledging our sincere efforts to bring honour to the nation by creating meaningful change in people’s lives.”
Prime Minister's Office
Transcript of PM's interview with PTI
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi was interviewed by the news agency PTI.
The Prime Minister shared the transcript of the interview in a post on X.
The Prime Minister posted on X.
"Here is my interview with @PTI_News in which I share my thoughts on a wide range of issues, notably India’s G20 Presidency, our efforts to give voice to the Global South, the emphasis on human centric development and more. https://www.ptinews.com/news/big-story/transcript-of-pti-s-exclusive-interview-with-prime-minister-narendra-modi/642493.html"
Prime Minister's Office
PM expresses solidarity with the people of Kerala on Onam
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, on the occasion of the auspicious festival of Onam, has expressed solidarity with the people of Kerala.
"May this Onam give further strength to the people of Kerala to overcome the adversities they have been facing for the past few days. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with Kerala and prays for the happiness as well as prosperity of it’s citizens", the Prime Minister said.